Man faces 2 charges for lewd comments to teens

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Man faces 2 charges for lewd comments to teens

Posted by

Mark Beardsley

in Public Safety

Wednesday, November 17. 2010

Comments (11)

The Commerce Police Department arrested a 46-year-old Commerce man this past week on child molestation and enticing a child for indecent purposes charges stemming from an incident that occurred the week before.

Mitchell A. Shropshire, 139 Willow Street, was arrested in connection with an incident in which two girls, ages 13 and 14, alleged that he made indecent comments to them at a Pine Street residence.

According to the incident report, a Pine Street man had some people over for a “get-together.” Because alcohol was involved, the report indicated that the man confiscated the party-goers’ car keys and had them spend the night. The next morning, when he left for work, he noted Shropshire sleeping in his underwear in a chair in the living room. When he returned from work that afternoon, his wife and daughter indicated that Shropshire had made inappropriate comments to two girls, ages 13 and 14, who were also at the residence.

According to the girls, they were attempting to sleep on air mattresses in the living room when the suspect undressed down to his underwear in front of them and lay back in the chair. They said Shropshire began talking to them about his sexual fantasies — things he would like to do with them. They said he asked them to strip down to their underwear, and said he wanted to see them kissing each other because it would turn him on.
The girls said they ignored his comments and did not respond.

They said Shropshire told them he wanted to join the girls on their air mattress and wanted to have sex, although he allegedly used much more graphic terminology. They said that as he talked to them he had an erection, which was visible through his underwear.

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#1 Lanisha on 11/18/10 at 01:27 PM

When the father saw the man in his underwear, he should have woke him up then, and had him leave, after he checked to make sure he hadn't done anything else inappropriate, besides taking his clothes off. You don't leave a half naked man in your home with your wife, daughter and her friends! The kids should have went and woke their parents as soon as it happened, and took action immediately. You never know what kind if people you're bringing around your family. Most of the time, the things a drunk person does and says was inside of them all along, they just needed some pep juice so they can be brave enough to release the words or actions. I'm sure this was a lesson learned for the father.

#2 Anonymous on 11/18/10 at 02:16 PM

I agree with Lanisha when the father saw the man in his underware he should have made him get dressed and sent him home. But also keep in mind not only do the girls suffer so does the family of the one being accused. pray for them all.

#2.1 Concerned grandmother on 11/18/10 at 07:17 PM

what I don't understand about this whole story is what kind of man invites people to his house to drink,take their keys so they have to spend the night, and have young girls in the same house. That says you expect all adulds invited to the party to be drunk, not just drinking but to drunk to drive, so why in Gods name do you have a 13 and 14 year old girl in the house? Sounds like family and children services need to be talking to some parents. What were these people thinking? not about these young girls thats for sure. And if they were all drunk were the girls drinking also?, why were they left unatended with this drunk man to begin with? Sounds like ther is a lot more to this story than is being told.
I have a 13 and 15 year old grandaughter and my son and daughter would never allow their girls to be in the house all night with people who were drunk,especially in the same room unattended. I blame the parents for allowing these girls to be there at all. I think I would have to hear the mans story on this one also, something is very wrong here.

#2.1.1 chand7 on 11/19/10 at 12:01 PM

I couldn't have said it better myself!

#2.1.1.1 Anonymous on 11/19/10 at 11:20 PM

I AGREE with all four previous comments!! What were these people thinking? Apparentley they weren't, because they were all drinking, so who's to say what really happened? Is this the example you set for your children? Why would a father allow the man to sleep in the same room with his young daughter? Why didn't he ask him to leave when he saw him the next morning? Why didn't the girls wake the parents up right then and tell them what was going on? We have all seen or heard about these unfortunate charges before, but this one doesn't make any sense at all. And how can a person be charged with that when only words were spoken and no contact? This situation is very damageing to both families and anyone who loves their child simply would NOT put their child in this type of situation. Sounds like DEFACS needs to investigate this one for the sake of the child. I pray for both families.

#2.1.2 Concerned Grandfather on 11/21/10 at 04:22 PM

Perhaps the girls lived there, is the reason they were there in the first place. Are parents with children not allowed to have social gatherings at their homes?
Driving after only a couple of beers can put you over the legal limit, so taking the guest's keys seemed to be a responsible decision to me.
I do agree that leaving him there in the living room was not a wise choice, but I seriousely doubt that the man thought one of his guests would try and pull a stupid stunt like that. Perhaps the real blame should be put on the guest.I am sure now, man that had the get together, already knows it was a bad choice.

#2.1.3 Bernardine MInton on 11/22/10 at 06:26 PM

I am the Grandmother to one on the girls involved in this horrible mess.You are very concerened and I understand...but the article you read gave the wrong information about what happened that evening and what you have implied is heartbreaking. First the man in question is a family friend and co-worker for at least eight years,it was not a party but a small group of parents having a cook out and a few drinks.Now lets make this very clear ...my son in law and daughter do not get drunk in front of thier chidren ( He is a good and respectable man and a wonderfull father,she a happy and proud mother and together thier whole life is thier three girls)With the information you read in the article I would be angry too...you need to know this was not some big party for people to get drunk! The law requires us to not drink and drive and all 5 adults there that evening had enough ( which is only one) to make driving a bad decision.Why in the world would you assume that because the parents had a cocktail that they would be allowing the children to join them? Did this kind of behavior happen in your home? Did your parent ever have another couple for dinner and make cocktails for them and the children there? Of course not!!! so do not think that was happening in thier home either. Why does your imagination run so carfree over the top of these two young ladys when it is the gentleman ( and i use that word loosley)your viciousness and condemnation should be channeled toward. After all he is the one who commited this act and as of yet to date given many different reasons why he did ( Did you read that..you wanted to hear the mans story..he has no denial of his actions ,just excuses) This man has destroyed this familys peace of mind and a two little girls faith and you find time to do the same...I do not blame you,nor will I write bad things about you or your family ( like you have chosen to do) Cheap innuendoes and gossip from lowlife is not what these innocent young ladies need...I pray this never happens in your family,and if by some horrible means it does..that no ignorant person comes along with such accusations.

#2.1.4 Anonymous on 11/22/10 at 07:06 PM

dear mitch's grandmother, everyone has had people over for a couple of drinks and let their friends stay the night.mitch (who was a close and trusted friend)asked these girls both to have sex with him and thats the only offense that occurred that nite.this man needs help is the bottom line.there were 2 sets of parents in 2 seperate rooms 8 feet away,of course they felt safe letting their friend stay instead of drive drunk.

#3 Anonymous on 11/22/10 at 02:30 PM

This is my family, and just so you know, this was a CLOSE family friend. He has been part of their family for years. How about instead of whining about how it's the parent's fault for being responsible for a family friend not getting a DUI (which you don't have to be fall over, black out drunk for), let's take note that a 40-something year old man should maybe find someone his own age to be disgusting to. It doesn't matter how cute a girl is, if she is 13 or 14 years old, you refrain from soliciting her at all.
You people are disgusting. I am super proud to see that you are so enraged by the parents that you don't even realize that this is EXACTLY WHY girls who are raped don't come forward. People don't want to place blame where it is needed.
Why didn't the girls go wake up the parents immediately? UMMM, let me guess. THEY WERE TERRIFIED? SCARED TO MOVE? SCARED TO BREATHE?
How dare you pass judgement on the parents and start talking about DFACS. They were responsible. This wasn't some man they just met and decided to bring him home to party. As I am praying for the families, I will pray that you people get a heart.

#4 Anonymous on 11/22/10 at 03:34 PM

I am the childs mother , how dare you people ridicule me and my family. We had family and friends at our house . The man that molested my daughter has watched her grow up, he was not a stranger as you are implying ! You also do not need to beleive everything that you read , my husband did not leave a half naked man in his house with his wife and children , when everyone got up the next morning Mr Shropshire was dressed and there was no reason for us to think that anything had happened .While you blame my husband and I for having a few drinks with our friends and family , lets remeber that my daughter will live with this for the rest of her life . My husband and I were being responsible by not letting anyone drink and drive ,because if someone from our house had hit and killed one of you upstanding commerce citizens, that want to blame us for our child being molested. Then you would be screaming about that also . There is alot about this story that you do not know , so please do not comment on things when you do not know the whole story , because beleive it or not , it is making you look very stupid . You should be angry about what happen to may daughter , you should be angry that you have a pedifile running the streets of commerce , but your not , you are pointing the finger and placing blame . As far as setting a good example for our children, we have taught our children all there life that one drink is too much to get behind the wheel of a car.Also , yes to respond to someones comment this happened in her home , where she was supposed to be safe . I have one last comment . My family including my husband will never forget this , we will never feel safe in our own home again ,how dare you ridicule us , how dare you say that he was the victim , how dare you post this crap for my daughter to read . I hope that his never happens to anyone you love or even know . You people have no idea what this has dome to my family and then you make horrible comments about us and how we take care of our children , you do not know us and you do even no the whole story, so for the sake of my daughter , please leave your comments to yourself

#5 Anonymous on 11/22/10 at 06:41 PM

That's the thing I hate most about these comment sections. Too many people who know nothing about the circumstances think they know it all. To everyone bashing this family - you should mind your own business. This family has enough to deal with now without your presumptions. Save your attacks for people you know deserve them. I never post comments in these, but I felt compelled to here.

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